Emergencies can happen anywhere at anytime. Aside from heart attacks and strokes, learning CPR and first aid can provide the knowledge to assist someone who is bleeding, choking or experiencing symptoms from a chronic medical illness or side effects of a medication. Anyone around children, sporting events or community programs should have training. The faster help is provided, even by a lay person, the better the victim's chances of a positive outcome.
Identification
The American Red Cross states that cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, and first aid training teach skills to help assist a victim who has a cardiac event, accident or is choking. The skills can be viewed by watching presentations online or taking a class. Training involves learning to give rescue breaths, chest compressions, using an AED, or automated external defibrillator, Heimlich maneuver, manage bleeding and controlling the scene. Since there are different procedures for adults, children, infants and pregnant women, it is best to take a class in person through a trained instructor to ensure proper techniques are being used.
Benefits
CPR and first aid can save a life, especially if it includes how to use an AED, states OSHA, because most heart attacks occur outside of the hospital. Without immediate attention, a victim's chances of survival are between 1 and 5 percent and that number drops with every minute that passes. However, if an AED is used right away, the survival rate jumps to 90 percent. Learning CPR and how to use and AED is easy and is taught to seniors, adults and children. It takes place in just one or two short classes.
Features
CPR and first aid training teaches responders to activate the chain of survival. This is important because most cardiac events are due to ventricular fibrillation, which means the heart is pumping irregularly and cannot deliver the blood and oxygen the body needs. An AED can provide a shock to restore the heart's normal rhythm, and calling for help right away ensures medical attention will be given. The chain of survival involves early access to care by calling 911 immediately, early CPR to maintain blood flow to the brain, early use of an AED to deliver a shock of electricity to restart the heart and early advanced care provided by the emergency team, once at the scene and during transport to the hospital.
Techniques
An AED is not used alone; CPR and first aid must still be administered. CPR involves checking the person for responsiveness and watching and listening for breathing. Next, get someone to call 9-1-1. If there is no one else around, call immediately, unless the victim is an infant. In that case, CPR should be started right away or performed while carrying the infant to a phone. For adults, children and infants, close off the airway and give two rescue breaths and 30 compressions. Continue until professional help arrives, an AED is available, the victim responds or exhaustion sets in. If an AED is available, turn it on and follow the prompts.
Considerations
First aid training teaches skills that can assist someone who is bleeding, has broken a bone or suffered another injury, is in shock, having a seizure, choking or has come into contact with chemicals. If the victim is choking, use the Heimlich maneuver by giving inward and upward thrusts just below the ribcage. According to the University of New Mexico, the goal of first aid training is to prevent death or further illness until medical help is provided.
References
- American Red Cross: Prepare for Emergencies with American Red Cross Courses
- OSHA: Automated External Defibrillators Can Save Lives During Cardiac Emergencies
- American Heart Association: Links in the Chain of Survival
- University of Washington: Learn CPR
- New Mexico State University: First Aid Procedures
